The Winter Child

by Wendy Froud & Terri Windling

Simon and Schuster, October, 2001.
Hardcover, 59 pages.
ISBN: 0743202341

The Winter Child by Wendy Froud & Terri Windling

Sneezle, the beloved hero of A Midsummer Night's Faery Tale, returns for another adventure in the fantasy world brilliantly imagined by the team of Wendy Froud and Terri Windling. Wendy Froud is the doll and puppet maker responsible for the hit movies the Dark Crystal and The Empire Strikes Back (she is credited with the creation of Yoda). Terri Windling is the five-time World Fantasy Award-winning author and editor. Rounding out this talented team is designer Brian Froud and photographer John Lawrence Jones. In the depths of the Old Oak Wood, tree root faery Sneezle is ready to head off to the Midwinter Eve festival. But it's a strange midwinter, indeed -- it seems more like summer than winter. And King Oberon's gold and amethyst cup has been stolen. Sneezle and his companion, Twig, decide to set off to find the missing cup, and end up in the middle of a frightening confrontation between the evil wizard Malagan, who is keeping Lady Winter from entering the forest, and the Good Sorceress Tamaryst.

Windling's story is absolutely charming, and the accompanying photographs are breathtaking. The menacing wood, the beautiful faeries, the adorable Sneezle and magic of the Old Oak Wood all come to life under the direction of Brian and Wendy Froud. This is a beautiful, enchanting and imaginative book that will charm children and adults alike.

The Winter Child is available for purchase on Amazon.com

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This review was published in the Dec. - Jan., 2002 of The Internet Writing Journal.